The Evening Gazette (News, 23.4.07) published an appalling story of a man in court for having indecent pictures of children. It should be born in mind that the man never hurt or laid a finger on anybody.

The requirement that the man attended an internet sex offenders programme was probably justified.

What was disturbing to me was that the man is to be banned from keeping a computer or having any type of access to the internet.

I see this as the equivalent of somebody who was found to have indecent images on paper getting banned from access to all types of newspapers, books, periodicals, libraries and adult education centres.

The internet is a very rich source of information and education.

It does sound rather awesome that the courts and the police have the power to stop people getting information and education.

If somebody who has been found guilty of being in possession of indecent images is denied access to the information available on the internet isn't there a danger that the offender will take refuge in his own perverted and unwholesome sexual fantasies?